Scenery of Ninh Binh - attractive wonders

The boat to Tam Coc, considered 'Vietnam’s Ha Long Bay on the Land' must steer through a mountain channel and under a stone bridge called Cong Rong (Dragon Aquaduct) built in 1604. Far away, on the right hand side, is the Hang Mua (dancing cave), from where multi-coloured sun rays come out, reflecting on the water surface and producing sparkling reflections. This natural scenery looks like a water-colour painting that makes the viewer completely relaxed.

A long, long time ago, Tam Coc (three caves) was a vast sea. These caves, named Hang Ca (Big Cave), Hang Hai (Second Cave) and Hang Ba (Third Cave), were all under the sea.

For thousands of years, the water eroded the caves, carving in them uneven cracks stretching along the entire mountain range and creating a wonder of nature. Hang Ca  lies under a huge mountain and runs across two other mountains along the banks of the Ngo River. This river seems to get narrower when running through the cave that abounds with stalactites in different shapes from the cave’s ceiling, just like clouds. When you stop rowing the boat, amid the quiet and cool atmosphere, you will hear the sound of drops of water falling on the water surface. After going through 127 metres of cave, you will arrive at the other end of the cave that suddenly opens into a vast and bright space, signalling a new world of wonders.

Far away on the mountain, there is someone who is searching for dried wood, some goats are chewing tree leaves, and hundreds of bushes of orchids and cycads cling to the rocks. Crossing the Hang Hai and Hang Ba and about four kilometres further, you arrive at Suoi Tien (Fairy Stream). In the clear water, schools of fish swim and hide among the seaweed. Here, you never have a feeling of the sea crashing against seashore. Instead, you can stand on a flat stone and take a bath, and enjoy the fresh breath of the forest and mountain, listening to the singing of the birds and screaming of the monkeys, that sound like nature’s concert. Taking a long and deep breath, you will certainly smell the fragrance of the forest flowers.

Bich Dong Pagoda has an ancient architecture, with curving roofs, solemn lines full of Oriental characteristics. It is built in the shape of the 'Tam' (three) character on the mountain slope, from its foot upwards. This pagoda is considered as the “second most beautiful landscape in the Southern region.” The mountain, the caves and the pagoda are connected to one another in harmony, amid the greenery of the ancient trees and the moss on the pagoda roofs. Looking at the immeasurably high mountains around Bich Dong Pagoda, you will see five mountains, which look like a five-petal lotus. Nearby stands the Dong Tien (Fairy Cave), from which sparkling stalactites come down, like delicate and lively sculptures made by skilful artisans. The entire scenery is real and unreal, in brightness and darkness and seems to be filled with smoke and clouds, all in a mystery.

Another attractive site in Ninh Binh is the Van Long Natural   Preservation Park with the Cuc Phuong primitive forest. The area still retains its wildness, including mountains, forests, lakes and ponds, which cover an area of more than 2,600 hectares. Besides the submerged ecological system, which is at present the largest of this kind in the northern delta, and the limestone mountains with the Ba Chon peak, 428 metres high, the highest peak in the region, Van Long Park has an ecological system of agricultural land, land for afforestation and upland fields. There are 457 species of plants, including many rare and endangered species.

The area is the most crowded habitation of the 'white short-trousered' monkey with more than 40 animals. In late Autumn, valuable birds from the north fly to this area to bath in the lakes and ponds nearby the limestone mountains endowed by nature with more than 32 caves and grottoes.

Cuc Phuong forest has for years inspired many poets, musicians and writers in their artistic creation when visiting it. Covering more than 22,000 hectares, Cuc Phuong is Vietnam’s first park (established in 1962), and has a rich and diverse fauna and flora. Several sites in this natural heritage of the country were excavated by Vietnamese and foreign archeologists, such as the Con Moong Cave and the Primitive Man’s Cave. Many ancient artifacts have been found, such as the ancient coffins and stone tools, of which some dated back from 7,000 to 10,000 years.

If you want to collect documents on history, you should visit the ancient capital of Hoa Lu. Ancient records say that when Dinh Tien Hoang defeated the 12 groups of rebel troops, he established the state of Dai Co Viet and located his capital in Hoa Lu in 967. In 1010, Ly Cong Uan founded the Ly dynasty and moved the capital from Hoa Lu to Thang Long (present-day Hanoi). During the 43 years of existence under the two dynasties, Hoa Lu became one of Vietnam’s ancient capitals with distinctive stone architecture decorated with famous stone carvings.

It is in fact a tourist attraction with rich and diverse natural resources, cultural and historical relics, rivers and streams running through many beauty spots, ancient villages and sites relating to the history of the Dinh and Ly dynasties and their religions.

Ninh Binh is one of the first destinations of the Christians in Vietnam. The Phat Diem Cathedral was built with stone and imbued with famous Oriental religious architecture in great harmony with the architecture of the Christian cathedral. Phat Diem stone cathedral has been for a long time a tourist site, due to its architectural and religious attraction. Ninh Binh Town, more than 1,000 ha in area, is not an ecological tourist destination, but it has many tourist relics and products. Non Nuoc Mount, or Duc Thuy (bathing in blue colour) looks like a miniature by the gentle Day River. With 147 poems composed by the kings, mandarins and famous poets and carved on the stone from the Ly (11th century) to the Nguyen (19th century) dynasties, Non Nuoc is ranked first throughout the world for the biggest number of poems in Han-Nom characters carved on stone.

With its marvels and wonders, Ninh Binh always delights visitors and brings them an unexpected experience. Rose Marie Lavoie, from Canada, revealed her impressions: “It’s wonderful to tour around Ninh Binh. The local traditional products testify to the Vietnamese people’s skilful hands. Vietnam is a country full of hospitality and friendship. I’ve been in three Asian countries and Vietnam is the fourth and it brought me the most impressive experience.”